What Are Standard Interview Questions

Preparing For A Phone Interview

Standard academic interview questions and how to answer them

Usually, during phone interviews, employers are seeking general, high-level information about you and your background to see if they should advance you to the next step in the hiring process. You should be prepared to talk about why youre looking for a job, why youre interested in this specific job and company, and your background.

Each employer has a different set of questions for phone interviews, but there are several commonly asked questions. Below are several phone interview example questions and answers you can use as inspiration when preparing for your interview.

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Why are you applying for this position?
Why do you want this job?
Tell me what you know about the role
Why do you want to work here?
Why are you looking for jobs?
What are you passionate about?
What are your salary expectations?
Are you interviewing with other companies?

Why The Candidate Was Fired From The Previous Job

The best way to deal with this question is to reveal the truth as the business world is very small. The candidate shall present the truth whatever may be the reason. Instead he shall lay stress as to how he has grown both personally and professionally. The present job will help the candidate to evolve as a better person on both the fronts. The experience from the previous job will be only helpful for the candidate.

Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job

Prepare an answer that will give your interviewer confidence that you’re deliberate about this job change. Focus on the future and what you hope to gain in your next position.

Example:I’m looking for an opportunity that gives me the ability to build long-term relationships with clients. Relationship-building is one of the reasons I chose a career in sales. I look forward to working with a company where that’s a top priority.

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Do You Consider Yourself Successful

This question might make you uncomfortable. But you can think of it as an opportunity to allow the interviewer to get to know you better and to position yourself as an excellent choice for this job. First off, make sure you say yes! Then pick one specific professional achievement youre proud of that can be tied back to the role youre interviewing forone that demonstrates a quality, skill, or experience that would help you excel in this position. Youll want to explain why you consider it a success, talk about the process in addition to the outcome, and highlight your own accomplishment without forgetting your team. Zooming in on one story will help if you feel awkward tooting your own horn!

Question: Tell Me About Yourself

Standard Interview Questions and why we ask them!

One of the most common questions in an interview is Tell me about yourself. Actually, it is not even a question it is an invitation.

Your answer to this question is your opportunity to share with the interviewer whatever you think is important about you in their hiring decision.

More importantly, it is your chance to differentiate yourself from other candidates. In most cases, the standard questions offer the same opportunity.

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Question: Why Should We Hire You

This is clearly a differentiation question. What you want to tell them is: theyd be crazy not to they hire you.

Focus on them: You need to only share how you meet almost all the criteria they seek, and also have two to three additional abilities that they might not even know they needyet. They need to know you are a candidate who can not only meet their needs now, but will also be valuable for where they want to go in the future.

Are they likely to need another skill set as they grow as a company?
Or maybe you have skills that you noticed are in another job description they are looking to fill?

You can help out with those deliverables until they find someone .

Have you been down a path already that they are currently starting? Having lessons learned to offer them is a very strong plus for a job candidate.

How Would You Improve Our Product/service

Your knowledge and understanding of what the company does will prove invaluable. Don’t be too critical of the product or service – you want to work there after all – but at the same, don’t say you wouldn’t change anything. The interviewer wants to hear some ideas.

Try to come up with one or two things that you think could be improved. The key is to offer an explanation of how and why you’d make these changes. Make sure you focus on relevant areas that you would have some responsibility for if you got the job.

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Why Is Anticipating Interview Questions Important

The goal of anticipating interview questions isnt to memorize responses, but rather to get comfortable talking about these topics. This advance preparation will help you feel more confident and less on the spot during the interview.

As you develop your answers, select anecdotes and specific examples from your previous work experiences to share with your interviewers.

Are You Willing To Relocate

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While this may sound like a simple yes-or-no question, its often a little bit more complicated than that. The simplest scenario is one where youre totally open to moving and would be willing to do so for this opportunity. But if the answer is no, or at least not right now, you can reiterate your enthusiasm for the role, briefly explain why you cant move at this time, and offer an alternative, like working remotely or out of a local office. Sometimes its not as clear-cut, and thats OK. You can say you prefer to stay put for xyz reasons, but would be willing to consider relocating for the right opportunity.

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Describe The Workplace Where Youll Be Most Happy And Productive

This can take other forms, too, such as What can we do to keep you happy if you were hired? or What do you like about your current job that youd like to find here as well? These are examples of culture fit interview questions that aim to assess the candidates suitability as an employee of the company. Usually, theres no right or wrong answer. It all depends on whether each candidate is a fit for each individual company.

Sample answer:

I like workplaces that emphasize both autonomy and teamwork. I like collaborating with others and exchanging ideas, but I also want to have flexibility to work uninterrupted for some time. Also, I value the absence of restrictions, such as a casual dress code unless Im meeting with customers or partners.

Whats The Dream Job For The Candidate

The interviewer here wants to interrogate the candidate whether the offered job merges with the dream job of the candidate. The candidate here shall talk about his dreams and goals that he has set for himself and how this job is going to help him in achieving this. Importance of the present job for the candidate will make the interviewer confident about the candidate.

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What Are Your Biggest Strengths

I’m not sure why interviewers ask this question your resume and experience should make your strengths readily apparent.

Even so, if you’re asked, provide a sharp, on-point answer. Be clear and precise. If you’re a great problem solver, don’t just say that: Provide a few examples, pertinent to the opening, that prove you’re a great problem solver. If you’re an emotionally intelligent leader, don’t just say that: Provide a few examples that prove you know how to answer the unasked question.

In short, don’t just claim to have certain attributes — prove you have those attributes.

Questions About Your Work History

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The meat of any job interview is your track record at work: what you accomplished, how you succeeded or failed , and how you behaved in real time in actual work environments. If you prep a few versatile stories to tell about your work history and practice answering behavioral interview questions, youll be ready to go.

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Whats One Fact Thats Not On Your Linkedin Profile

Heres another open-ended question to ask an interviewee that can help you uncover some interesting insights. Similar to asking, What do you think I need to know that we havent discussed? it could spark some conversation about a hobby outside of their 9-to-5 life or even a compelling story that reveals more of their strengths and motivations. This question can help you understand not just what a job candidate has done, but why.

Do You Prefer To Work On A Team Or Independently

Theres no right or wrong answer here, but you want to be diplomatic. Regardless of whether youre an extrovert or an introvert, its crucial your answer clearly shows that youre versatile. Share your preference, but also keep the role itself in mind. If youre an event planner, hopefully you like working with others.

For a great answer, include two positive examples: one in which you worked well with a group and another in which you worked well on a solo project.

I love working on a team. When I interned with XYZ Company, there were issues with a few fellow interns not getting along. I intervened, organized a social gathering for the group, and it really helped them put their differences aside. We finished the summer on a great note and came up with the best ideas by putting our heads together. At the same time, I enjoy working independently when necessary. In school, I prided myself on never missing an essay deadline. That was because Im able to put my head down and focus.

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Why Does The Candidate Took A Gap Between The Two Job Employments

The candidate shall respond to this question truthfully. He shall clearly state the reason of gap between the two employments. Be sure to highlight that you were busy taking classes or improving upon some aspects of your work process. How working on your qualities will contribute to the present job and help in achieving the desired results.

Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years

Typical Interview Questions

Answers to this question go one of two basic ways. Candidates try to show their incredible ambition by providing an extremely optimistic answer: “I want your job!” Or they try to show their humility by providing a meek, self-deprecating answer: “There are so many talented people here. I just want to do a great job and see where my talents take me.”

In either case you learn nothing, other than possibly how well candidates can sell themselves.

For interviewers, here’s a better question: “What business would you love to start?”

That question applies to any organization, because every employee at every company should have an entrepreneurial mind-set.

The business a candidate would love to start tells you about her hopes and dreams, her interests and passions, the work she likes to do, the people she likes to work with — so just sit back and listen.

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Are You Interviewing With Other Companies

You might be asked to explain where you are in the hiring process with other companies in a phone interview. This can be helpful for recruiters to understand how quickly they should move you through the process. If you are already interviewing for other positions, for example, you might be a higher-risk candidate than those simply in the searching phase. To answer this question, be honest about your current situation but dont feel the need to go into detail.

Example answer:While I feel this role is the better fit for what Im looking for, I am in discussions with three other employers.

Why Are You Looking For Jobs

Employers might ask this question during your phone interview to see if there are any red flags about your employment situation. If you are currently employed but are looking for new jobs, simply explain why. You should make your answer focused on your career instead of personal reasons or small preferences like hours or commute time. For example, you might be looking for new jobs because there are few opportunities for growth or movement in your current role.

If youve been let go for some reason, explain in a positive way that you and your employer decided it would be best for you to find a better fitting opportunity. You should address the ways youve been using your time to improve your skills and work styles.

Example answer:Im looking for opportunities to start my career as a project coordinator. Working as an executive assistant has given me abundant experience in managing and organizing schedules, so Im ready to take the next step in my career. I feel especially qualified for this particular position because Ive worked in the retail industry in my last two administrative roles. Im more than ready to start my project coordination career and would be excited for it to be with your company.

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What Would You Consider Your Greatest Strengths & Weakness

This is a popular interview question

Following are 4 sample answers

Sample answer #1

My strength is my ability to convert negative work environment into positive. At the same time, developing a supportive team. I am also capable of keeping many projects on track and ensuring deadlines are met. As far as my weakness is concerned, I get impatient sometimes in order to get everything done very quickly. To tackle the problem, I am trying to re-consider the to-do list and prioritize the tasks.

Sample answer #2

I am very comfortable working with different groups of people. My strength is my analytical and planning skills, developed over the years. It helps me to complete my work before the deadline. I am a little bit nervous while speaking in a group, but I have given many presentations to overcome this.

Sample answer #3

I am efficient in many programming languages, including HTML, C++, Java, and AppleScript. I have generated over 100% excess revenue for two separate companies through cost-cutting programming efficiency, and I have leadership experience with a team of five IT professionals working on some of the popular iPhone apps online. As far as weakness is concerned, I have a tendency to remain quiet in meetings, but I am working on speaking up when I feel I have ideas to share.

Sample answer #4

Im a highly motivated person. I dont stop until I get things done. I value other peoples time and the companys resources. I work to become an asset, not a liability.

Tips

If You Were An Animal Which One Would You Want To Be

Seemingly random personality-test type questions like these come up in interviews because hiring managers want to see how you can think on your feet. Theres no wrong answer here, but youll immediately gain bonus points if your answer helps you share your strengths or personality or connect with the hiring manager. Pro tip: Come up with a stalling tactic to buy yourself some thinking time, such as saying, Now, that is a great question. I think I would have to say

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When Have You Had To Overcome A Difficult Situation At Work And How Did You Manage It

This question is designed to understand, firstly, what you deem as a difficult situation and then how you solve problems and work with other people or departments. In this case, dont be afraid to select a tough situation that wasnt caused by you and explain the steps and measurements you took to overcome it.

Focus on and highlight the successful outcome and the learnings from the situation, as well as how the process and improvements enhanced overall performance.

What Is Your Greatest Achievement Outside Of Work

This question reveals a lot about the candidate’s personality and drive. Look for candidates that have achieved something that requires plenty of time, hard work, and sacrifice. This type of work ethic will be beneficial for long-term projects.

Red flag: The candidate is unable to describe any noteworthy achievements outside of their professional career.

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Why Do You Want To Work For Us

Carry out a little research and youll be able to talk compellingly about the business and how you can positively impact on it. Align your values and goals with that of the organisation and discuss how your past experiences and current skills make you a great fit. If an aspect of the position or project particularly appeals to you then be sure to highlight it and what you hope to achieve within the role.

When Did You Leave